Bovine Thyroid Iodine-131 Concentrations Subsequent to Soviet Nuclear Weapon Tests

Abstract

The iodine-131 concentration in thyroids of cattle slaughtered in Reno, Nevada, was measured during and following recent atmospheric nuclear weapon tests by the U.S.S.R. The iodine-131 concentration rose rapidly to a maximum and then declined with an apparent half-life of 7 days after conclusion of the test series. The average dose to bovine thyroids from this test series was estimated to be 17 rads.